“Chance favors the prepared mind.” ~ Louis Pasteur
Michelle Corley : KJA Designer & Thinker
I have a friend who’s a firefighter…a job whose very nature requires the ability to properly react to a crisis situation. My job hardly equals it in danger and intensity. Let’s face it, a client may completely shred the work I do – but nothing goes tragically haywire because of it. That said – for both jobs, preparation results in success or failure. I dare say the same holds true for your line of work.
As a fire fighter – training fills the time between calls. Think physical fitness, rescue techniques and a whole slew of things that remind me why I’ve only recently learned to use “fire” and “career” in the same sentence. They’re exposed to various scenarios and situations, tested in different ways to build intuitive reactions. Because of this preparation, they grow more certain of their skills, confident in their abilities and able to remain calm in chaos.
Can you think of a better way to use “down” time? What know-how could you be nurturing? Surely there’s a skill set that’s grown rusty or worse, lounges around untapped. Consider “down” time as an opportunity to build momentum. Plan your next step. Be better.
Yes, idle time is good – resting and recharging can’t be overrated. But in a few tics of the clock, idle can cool to complacent, and the tepid devil of complacency leads you easily to lazy. Once you’ve nestled into lazy – game over. Your sluggish, cob-webby reactions stand little chance in the heat of a crisis.
Tags: business, creativity, management
April 19, 2011 at 10:53 am |
Excellent kick in the pants needed by us(me!) all. Thanks!